Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin: Brasil

Friends and musical partners since the '70s, guitarist Lee Ritenour and pianist Dave Grusin continue their collaboration on Brasil, thanks to Ritenour's Brazilian wife Carmen, who was influential in recommending the project, and to the many outstanding Brazilian players who grace the album. Though the repertoire contains two Ritenour originals and one from Grusin, the producers draw on such Brazilian composers as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Milton Nascimento, Celso Fonseca and Ivan Lins for the majority of the songs, which were recorded in São Paulo, Brazil. The music is mellow and breezy, a nice mixture of instrumentals and vocals, the latter provided by Tatiana Parra, Fonseca and Lins.

Not since the dynamic duo's previous collaboration on their Grammy-winning album Harlequin (GRP Records, 1985) have the two leaders decided to record another Brazilian-styled album. Interestingly enough, Lins appeared on one track on that album as he does here once again. Unlike the previous album, on Brasil the cast of players are all Brazilian, the core quintet group consisting of drummer Edu Ribeiro, bassist Bruno Migotto and percussionist Marcelo Costa. Harmonica specialist Gregoire Maret appears on three songs while renowned Brazilian guitarist Chico Pinheiro lends his amazing guitar work on two tracks, including light vocals on his original "Boca Siri" (Keep it Quiet).

The music springs to life on the opening bossa, "Cravo E Canela" (Clove and Cinnamon), which features vocals from Parra and background harmonica from Maret, along with Ritenour's guitar, all making for an upbeat perky beginning. The original Ritenour piece "For the Palms" features Maret with some solo moments, later joined by delicate additions from the guitarist and pianist. Nascimento's "Catavento" brings percussionist Costa to the fore on the introduction and throughout the track accompanied by Grusin on keyboards on a wakeup tune.

Grusin is at the fore with a light introduction on the vocal tune "Vitoriosa" (Victorious), where Lins and Parra join together in providing one absolutely gorgeous and heartfelt performance on this highlight of the session. In another duo vocal performance, which is just as impressive, vocalist Fonseca, who penned the song, teams up with Parra on the delicious "Meu Samba Toro" (My Crooked Samba). The ensuing two tracks feature Pinheiro's guitar on the Jobim instrumental "Stone Flower" and on "Boca De Siri," which follows.

The last two tracks, "Lil' Rock Way" and "Canto Inverno" (Winter Song), are originals from Ritenour and Grusin respectively, featuring Maret's harmonica on the first, then saving the spotlight for both co-leaders on the brief but lush final winter piece. Crafting a warm, inviting and engaging musical statement, the musical partnership of Ritenour and Grusin once again proves successful and very special on the charming Brasil, where the two friends visit the music of Brazil for the second time in their illustrious recording career.